Suffocation

Suffocation are globally recognized innovators of death metal. Since the 1990s, their massive influence on the genre came from pioneering the balance between brutal and technical sounds now commonly heard in 21st century death metal. Further, Frank Mullen, the group's vocalist, is considered one of the genre's most emblematic frontmen; he was one of the first singers to employ the very deep "death growl" style. After several demos and singles, 1991's now-classic Effigy of the Forgotten influenced an entire generation in death metal and grindcore circles. It was followed by 2003's critically acclaimed Breeding of the Spawn. The band split after 1995's Pierced from Within, and re-formed years later for 2004's Souls to Deny. 2009's Blood Oath marked their first American chart entry. 2017's ...Of the Dark Light charted in Europe. Live in North America appeared from Nuclear Blast in 2021.